More than $2 million has been invested in new resources to support language and literacy initiatives for children aged six and under across the province.
Funding for these initiatives is being provided through the Canada-Saskatchewan Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, and includes:
- $560,000 in grant money for the purchase of children's books by licensed child care facilities;
- $120,000 to purchase multilingual children's books for public libraries;
- $400,000 to the Saskatchewan Literacy Network to provide free training sessions to parents, care-givers and educators on how to incorporate early literacy into both programming and home life;
- $400,000 to KidsFirst for a series of family-friendly literacy programs for preschool-aged children in communities across Saskatchewan;
- $500,000 in books and other resources for early learning programs and to supplement training and community events hosted by the Saskatchewan Literacy Network and KidsFirst; and
- $75,000 to produce instructional videos showing educators and parents how they can incorporate early literacy in their programming and at home.
In recognition of Saskatchewan's growing and diverse population, some of this funding has been specifically earmarked for the purchase of children's books in languages other than English. These books are available via public libraries across the province.
Young families are also being given access to free events, where both children and their parents can learn new ways to develop literacy skills, in a fun, family-friendly environment.